‘Incredibly diverse and meaningful’: what it’s like being a fractional CFO

In conversation with Accounting Times, Truerock Consulting founder Divya Singh – a five-time finalist at the Australian Accounting Awards, in the CFO of the Year, Corporate Accountant of the Year, and Mentor of the Year categories – said that she has chosen the path of being a fractional finance professional because she “wanted to make a real impact”.

“In my previous role working with Kerwin Rae [as CFO], I saw firsthand how many lives and businesses he helped transform. He was a great mentor, and his leadership gave me clarity on what I wanted to do, to help founders grow purposefully through financial clarity,” she said.

“The fractional model lets me create that impact across multiple businesses, not just one.”

Being a fractional CFO, Singh reflected, is “incredibly diverse and meaningful”.

“You work with founders at different stages of growth, bringing structure, clarity, and foresight to their financial decisions while keeping governance, compliance, and risk in check,” she said.

“For me, it’s about being both a strategic partner and a steady hand behind the scenes.”

Singh’s comments follow Accounting Times’ recent reporting on the expansion of the CFO role beyond traditional expectations, and why “cyber burnout” is a key priority for CFOs in the current climate.

The biggest challenge that fractional CFOs face, she went on, is shifting how people view the role of the head of the finance function.

It’s not just about numbers or reports, she said – “it’s about being a partner in decision-making”.

“A CFO brings clarity to cash flow, profitability, and growth strategy, helping founders move from reactive to proactive,” she said.

“Once founders experience that partnership, they rarely go back to running without one.”

When asked if she had any predictions for what the future may hold for fractional CFOs – namely, if such a vocational path will become more popular over time – Singh said that the model is “growing rapidly”, already being well established in the US, and now gaining strong momentum in Australia.

“More startups and growing SMEs are realising they can access strategic leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. True leadership in finance goes beyond numbers, it’s about clarity, purpose, and impact,” she said.

“That’s why the fractional CFO model is redefining what financial partnership looks like, accessible, flexible, and built on trust.”

To those who wish to embrace a more fractional working life, Singh suggested to “be clear on your why”.

“This role goes beyond the traditional CFO remit; it’s about leadership, empathy, and genuine connection with people and businesses,” she said.

“You’re not just advising entrepreneurs, you’re one yourself. You’ll wear many hats, from finance to strategy to relationships.”

“If you’re purpose-driven and values-led, it’s an incredibly fulfilling path.”